Provincial.

vice-chair , and an excellent muster of brethren . After having partaken of a Avell-served dinner , with Bro . Carman ' s usual care and attention , the brethren adjourned to dessert , Avhen the usual loyal , Masonic , and complimentary toasts were given by the AA . M . and Bros . Potts , Ridley , Hedley , Tulloch , Adamson , Hewisou , and Rodclam , and severally responded to , after being heartily received by the brethren . The intervals Avere enlivened hy the vocal abilities of several brethren , ancl the evening was

spent in conviviality and good fellowship . At the installation of the newly-elected W . M ., Bro . AA right , the following brethren were invested officers , viz .: —Bros . J . A \ illiamsoii , S . W . ; G . Lawson , J . AV . ; R . B . Ridley , P . M ., Treas . ; G . S . Shotton , Sec ; AA " . Dalziel , S . D . ; T . M . Clemence , J . D . ; J . Robertson , I . G . ; J . Docchar , Tyler ; R . Hewison , and M . E . Gray , Stewards ; H . Hedley was invested I . P . M ., and J . Rodclam , P . M ., nominated Dir . of Cers . The ceremony of installation was

conducted by Bro . R . B . Ridley , P . M ., with his customary care and ability . The musical arrangements were carried ont by Bros . Oliver , P . M ., AVilliamson , Chater , Stockdale , and Hinde , P . M . Bro . G . AVilson was appointed Organist on the occasion .

HAMPSHIRE . WIXCIIESIEE . —Lodge of Economy ( No . IB , late 90 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , tho 30 th ult ., at the Masonic Rooms adjoining the Black Swan Hotel , when there was a very good attendance . In the unavoidable absence of the AV . M ., Bro . A . Smith ( who was in the north of England on a Christmas visit ) , the chair was taken by

tlie senior P . M ., Bro . C . Sherry , who was supported by several other P . M ' s . of the lodge , officers , and brethren . The principal business at tlie meeting was the election of a AV . M . of tlie lodge for the ensuing year . A general nomination of the whole of the brethren of tlie loclge , eligible for the office , had been made at the previous monthly meeting , and the choice was now decided by the members writing the name of the candidate they approved on a slip of paper . The result was a most

satisfactory one , as the loclge did itself the especial honour of appointing as its head next year one of the most distinguished and zealous Masons of tlie South of England ( Bro . J . Rankin Stebbing , of Southampton ) . It is generally known amongst the fraternity that Bro . Stebbing holds tlie exalted position of Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , and in the Grand Lodge of England , in London , his talents are vastly respected , and lie is the S . G . W . of his own province of

Hampshire , throughout which he is held in deserved and universal estimation , in consequence of his high personal character as a man and a Mason , and his enthusiastic zeal in the interests of the Craft . During the ensuing year , under Bro . Stobbing ' s presidency and influence , some extra and important gatherings of the Masonic body will take place within the walls of the Lodge of Economy . The installation of the AV . M . elect is fixed to take place on Friday , the 29 th inst ., which will be the 103 rd anniversary of the lodge .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . BLACKBAJKN . —Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 345 ) . —The anniversary of St . John the Evangelist was held ou Monday evening , tho 2 Sth ult ., at the Old Bull Hotel , when a very strong muster of brethren and visiting brethren attended , numbering in the whole above seventy persons . Lodge business for the installation of the W . M . and investiture of the officers for the ensuing "! year commenced at 4 . 30 p . m . prompt , when Thos .

Clough P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg . of East Lancashire , took the AV . M . ' s chair , and proceeded at once to form a lodge of installed Masters . Bro . James Garsden , who had been previously elected by an unanimous vote of the loclge , Avas then duly installed according to the ancient , solemn , and impressive rites of the Order , and having made the usual declarations , and been saluted in due form in the three degrees , proceeded to invest the officers , viz . —Bros . Benjamin Sanction ! ,

S . AA . ; Ii . H . Hutchinson ( ex-Mayor ) , J . W . ; T . Robinson , S . D . ; Christopher Tatfcersall , J . D . ; AV . Tattersall , Org . ; C . Wall , I . G . ; Edwin Eastwood and Joseph Callis , Stewards ; Jos . Pearson , Tyler ; Ralph Abbot , Sec ; James Pilkington , P . M ., Treas . ; John Procter , Dir . of Cers . ; Rev . Charles Hughes , Chap . The AV . M ., in brief and pointed language , expressed his thanks for the high honour conferred upon him , and stated his resolution to clo all in his power to maintain and advance the efficiency of the loclge . The brethren Avere then called from

labour to refreshment , when about seventy sat down to a most sumptuous banquet , provided by Mr . and Mrs . Stott , of the Bull Hotel , who are at present occupying the house in consequence of the lamented demise of Bro . Jas . Bolton . After the banquet , to which ample justice was done , the AA . M . gave the usual loyal toasts in a most felicitous stylo , which were duly honoured , and called up Bro . Captain Fishbourne to respond to " The Army , Navy , and Volunteers , " which was done

in choice and suitable language . The healths of the Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M . ; the Earl de Grey and Ripon , M . W . D . G . M . ; TheDuke of Athol , M . W . G . M . of Scotland ; ancl the Duke of Leinster , M . AA . G . M . of Ireland ; followed in rapid succession , Avith the usual Masonic honours . Afterwards followed the toasts of Bro . Stephen Blair , R . W . Prov . G . M . of East Lancashire ; and Bro . A . H . Royd , R / W . D . Prov . G . M ., and were vociferously applauded . Bro . Charles Tiplady , P . M ., proposed

" The Past and Present Provincial Officers of East and West Lancashire , " to which Bro . Clough , P . M ., responded , remarking that ho trusted the time was not far distant when this large and important lodge would have the honour of being represented amongst the Officers in Provincial Grand Lodge . The toast of " The Visiting Brethren" was responded to by the the representatives of lodges from Accrington , Clitheroe , Over DarwenClayton-le-daleand Lodge of FidelityAngel Inn

, , , , Blackburn . Bro . Henry Buckhouse , P . M ., responded to " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , " and Bro . Heath to the toast of "The AVorshipful Master and Officers for the past year . " " Prosperity to tbe Lodge 345 , " " The Officers for the ensuing year , " " Lancashire AVitches , " " Our next Masonic Festival , " concluded tho programme of the evening , at the seasonable hour of 10 . 30 . During the dinner , Bro . George Elliswith the full hand of the Sth Lancashire

Volunteersdis-, , coursed some choice and first-class music . Altogether the festival was a most joyous one , and the officers ami brethren separated with a full determination to uphold the dignity and good-working of the lodge , and to promote in every possible way the harmony " and good-fellowship of the brotherhood . The entertainments of the evening were much enhanced by the vocal harmony of several of the brethren .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . AVARKINGTON . —Lodge of Lights ( No . 148 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 2 Sth ult ., Bros . H . B . AVhite , W . M . ; Charles Pettitt , as S . W . ; John Bowes , J . W ., Sec . and AV . M . elect ; and a number of members ancl visiting brethren attending . The minutes of the last regular lodge were unanimously confirmed . The loclge was opened in the second , and afterwards in the third degree , when Bro . AVm .

Robinson was raised to tho sublime degree of a M . M . hy the W . M ., in his usually fluent and impressive manner . The loclge being duly closed down to the first degree , Bro . AVhite gave notice of motion for an alteration of a bye-law . Tlie auditors presented the Treasurer ' s balance-sheets and accounts , and the same Avoro unanimously passed . The lodge was closed in ancient form , and adjourned until the following clay at two o'clock p . m ., for the installation of Bro . Bowes , the A \ . M . elect , and the celebration of

THE FESTIVAL OF ST . JOHN THE EVANGELIST . The lodge punctually met , by adjournment from the preceding day , in the Masonic-rooms . Bros . H . B . AVliite , W . Jf . j Shaw Thewlis , Prov . S . G . D ., as P . M ; Captain Knight , S . W . ; John Bowes ( W . M . elect ) , J . AV . and Sec . ; G . Greenall , M . P , a & S . D . ; Charles Pettitt , J . D . ; W . Woods , I . G . ; J . Hepherd , exmayor ; Rev . J . N . Porter , J . Tunstall , AV . Robinson ,

Macmichael , Holloway , and other members attending . Bros , the Right Hon . Lord de Tabley , P . S . G . W . of England , & c ; Thos . AVylie , P . Prov . G . Sec . ; T . Armstrong , Prov . G . P . ; Saunders , P . G . O . ; A . Graham , Haswell , J . H . Hogg , of 129 ; H . Smith , and R . Wavburton , -were visiting brethren . The lodge being duly opened in the first and second degrees , Bro . Shaw Thewlis , Prov . S . G . D ., presented the AV . M . elect ,

Bro . John Bowes , for the benefit of installation , to whom the summary of the ancient charges , & c , was read by the acting Secretary , Bro . C . Pettitt . The loclge being opened in the third degree , and all brethren who were not installed Masters having retired , a Board of Installed Masters was opened by the Installing Master , Bro . AVylie , P . Prov . G . Sec , and the AV . M . elect having been re-admitted , was solemnly installed in the chair of K . S . The Board of Installed Masters having been